Contractors Plan Research Articles

Customer Satisfaction Analysis of Project Performance at PUPRKIM Bali Province

One factor that has a significant impact on customer satisfaction is project performance. A government agency that also serves as a client for infrastructure development is the PUPRKIM. The objectives of this study are to identify the project performance factors at the PUPRKIM of Bali Province, to ascertain the relationship between project performance and customer satisfaction at the PUPRKIM of Bali Province, and the contractor's efforts to raise customer satisfaction at the owner. Customers at the PUPRKIM in Bali Province as a respondent comprised of 45 contract signing officers, board coordinators, and board members made up the research sample. Questionnaires were used during the data collection process. Factor analysis and partial least squares analysis of structural equation models are data processing techniques. The test results demonstrate that: the contractor's efforts to increase customer satisfaction by enhancing project performance; project performance has a positive and significant impact on customer satisfaction; and project performance has a positive and significant impact on contractor planning and strategy, worker capabilities, and supporting materials and equipment. The capacity of the contractor's workforce, human resources, and auxiliary supplies and equipment needs to be strengthened.

Blockchain-enabled supply chain coordination for off-site construction using Bayesian theory for plan reliability

The potential of blockchain is being widely explored within the construction industry, particularly for transparent communication and information sharing. However, only limited research has focused on implementing blockchain to address the challenge of aligning conflicting interests among independent agents, specifically, supply chain coordination. This paper develops a blockchain-enabled supply chain coordination system that facilitates the alignment of diverse decisions made by stakeholders in an off-site construction supply chain. To achieve this goal, Bayesian updating is employed to estimate the probabilistic distribution of plan reliability, enabling the calculation of a supplier rebate that incentivizes the contractor to schedule deliveries aimed at minimizing joint supply chain costs. Additionally, the paper describes a blockchain-enabled system that allows practitioners to measure plan reliability. The research findings demonstrate that the blockchain-enabled supply chain coordination system fosters shared common knowledge among project stakeholders and facilitates real-time updates of changes in the contractor's plan reliability, aligning the interests of both the supplier and contractor.

A contingency approach for time-cost trade-off in construction projects based on machine learning techniques

PurposeTime-cost trade-off is normal conduct in construction projects when projects are expectedly late for delivery. Existing research on time-cost trade-off strategic management mostly focused on the technical calculation towards the optimal combination of activities to be accelerated, while the managerial aspects are mostly neglected. This paper aims to understand the managerial efforts necessary to prepare construction projects ready for an upcoming trade-off implementation.Design/methodology/approachA preliminary list of critical factors was first identified from the literature and verified by a Delphi survey. Quantitative data was then collected by a questionnaire survey to first shortlist the preliminary factors and quantify the predictive model with different machine learning algorithms, i.e. k-nearest neighbours (kNN), radial basis function (RBF), multiplayer perceptron (MLP), multinomial logistic regression (MLR), naïve Bayes classifier (NBC) and Bayesian belief networks (BBNs).FindingsThe model's independent variable importance ranking revealed that the top challenges faced were the realism of contractual obligation, contractor planning and control and client management and monitoring. Among the tested machine learning algorithms, multilayer perceptron was demonstrated to be the most suitable in this case. This model accuracy reached 96.5% with the training dataset and 95.6% with an independent test dataset and could be used as the contingency approach for time-cost trade-offs.Originality/valueThe identified factor list contributed to the theoretical explanation of the failed implementation in general and practical managerial improvement to better avoid such failure. In addition, the established predictive model provided an ad-hoc early warning and diagnostic tool to better ensure time-cost implementation success.

Contractors plan US biologic drug facilities

Two contract manufacturers of biologic drugs plan significant investments in the US. Fujifilm says it will spend more than $2 billion to establish a large-scale cell culture site in the US by 2025....

Environmental considerations for impact and preservation reference zones for deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining

Development of guidance for environmental management of the deep-sea mining industry is important as contractors plan to move from exploration to exploitation activities. Two priorities for environmental management are monitoring and mitigating the impacts and effects of activities. International regulation of deep-sea mining activities stipulates the creation of two types of zones for local monitoring within a claim, impact reference zones (IRZ) and preservation reference zones (PRZ). The approach used for allocating and assessing these zones will affect what impacts can be measured, and hence taken into account and managed. This paper recommends key considerations for establishing these reference zones for polymetallic nodule mining. We recommend that zones should be suitably large (Recommendation 1) and have sufficient separation (R2) to allow for repeat monitoring of representative impacted and control sites. Zones should be objectively defined following best-practice and statistically robust approaches (R3). This will include the designation of multiple PRZ and IRZ (R4) for each claim. PRZs should be representative of the mined area, and thus should contain high -quality resource (R5) but PRZs in other habitats could also be valuable (R6). Sediment plumes will influence design of PRZ and may need additional IRZ to monitor their effects (R7), which may extend beyond the boundaries of a claim (R8). The impacts of other expected changes should be taken into account (R9). Sharing PRZ design, placement, and monitoring could be considered amongst adjacent claims (R10). Monitoring should be independently verified to enhance public trust and stakeholder support (R11).

Analysis of pipe-bursting construction risks using probability-impact model

PurposeCivil utility projects, both open-trench and trenchless, are subject to risk. These risks have both direct and indirect effect on project cost, schedule, quality and safety. It is therefore critical for the project management team to include risk management as an integral part of their project planning and execution. The purpose of this study is to identify the pipe-bursting construction risks and determine their probability of occurrence and cost impact and provide the appropriate responses to mitigate the identified risks.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory design using an industry-wide questionnaire survey to collect data on the probability of occurrence and impact of risks on cost of pipe-bursting projects. A probability-impact model was used to categorize the risks to determine their criticality and the appropriate risk responses.FindingsThe model revealed that majority of the analyzed risks have low impact-low probability of occurrence and high impact-low probability of occurrence. Undocumented repairs to host pipe was the only risk identified as having high probability of occurrence and high impact on cost. The risk responses suggest a combination of risk transfer, reduction and acceptance to be appropriately applied to mitigate the risks. A discussion on the good practices indicates that most pipe-bursting operations can be done safely and successfully if site and project conditions are known before bursting and the appropriate measures are taken to address those conditions.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the identified risks may apply to other utility construction methods, the focus of this research is limited to risks that occur during the construction phase of a pipe-bursting construction project.Practical implicationsRisk management is very critical to the success of any construction project. Identification and assessment of risks alone will not serve the purpose of risk management unless meaningful ways to mitigate those risks in a structured way are planned. The probability-impact model for the pipe-bursting construction risks with the mitigation strategies will help owners, engineers and contractors plan for and adequately respond to these risks. Additionally, a logical assessment of the risks will aid in effective decision-making regarding the management of the project.Originality/valueExtensive literature review indicates that there is no existing literature on the probability of occurrence and impact on cost of risks in pipe-bursting projects. This paper presents the results of a wide-ranging analysis on construction risks in pipe-bursting projects. This is the first analysis incorporating the use of the probability-impact model to determine the criticality of various pipe-bursting construction risks.

Report on the Managing Impacts of Deep-seA reSource exploitation (MIDAS) workshop on environmental management of deep-sea mining

Recent years have seen an upsurge in interest in mining in the world’s deep oceans, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Such mining activity has the potential to cause environmental impacts over large areas. As contractors plan to move from exploration to exploitation activities it is important to develop guidance to ensure that these activities are managed in a way that is as environmentally sustainable as possible. This paper presents the outcomes of an international workshop on environmental management for deep-sea mining (DSM). The workshop presented protocols for environmental management, which were tested using a comprehensive polymetallic nodule mining scenario developed with industry input. The workshop started by presenting a framework for environmental management of deep-sea mining, which introduced the use of a conceptual model as a method of storing and updating environmental data and the synthesis of that data throughout the project. The second session focused on the incorporation of the precautionary approach and adaptive management into the framework. Two discussion sessions were held to discuss Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the context of the scenario: the first considered scoping and screening EIAs, while the second reviewed the full EIA assessment. Subsequent discussion focussed on environmental management at the regional scale. This concentrated on the Regional Environmental Assessment (REA) - including its purpose, the scale and scope, and practicalities - and the assignment of protected areas as an approach for regional environmental management. Use of a scenario as a basis for the evaluation of protocols on the environmental management of DSM was novel amongst workshops, facilitating focussed discussion despite the high uncertainty surrounding DSM activities. The results of these discussions are summarised in the paper.

Towards Zero Fatalities, Injuries, and Disease in Construction

This study explores the ‘holy grail’ of health and safety (H&S) - zero fatalities, injuries, and disease! Although, the logic of pursuing such a goal is obvious there are many ‘non-believers’ in the sense that they do not believe it is achievable. However, the literature indicates that such a goal is an integral part of H&S culture, and is complementary to the vision of fatality, injury, and disease free construction. Furthermore, it is the only ‘transparent’ goal.A study conducted among a convenience sample of ‘better practice H&S’ general contractors determined that client contributions, ‘designing for construction H&S’, integration of design and construction, appropriate procurement, contractor planning, risk assessment, an optimum interface between H&S, quality, and the environment including the respective management systems, H&S education and training for all stakeholders, core competencies, and consciousness and mindfulness, will contribute to the realisation of ‘zero’.Conclusions and recommendations include the achieving of ‘zero’ requires a multi-stakeholder effort on a project basis, including a partnering type process, and synergy between groups of actions / beliefs / interventions / practices / states i.e. the requisite ‘cocktail’ of factors must be in place and to an optimum extent.

Computer Simulation Model: Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies

Most state highways in the United States were built during the 1960s and 1970s with an infrastructure investment of more than $1 trillion. They now exceed their 20 year design lives and are seriously deteriorated. The consequences are high maintenance and road user costs because of degraded road surfaces and construction work zone delays. Efficient planning of highway rehabilitation closures is critical. This paper presents a simulation model, Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS), which estimates the maximum amount of highway rehabilitation/reconstruction during various closure timeframes. The model balances project constraints such as scheduling interfaces, pavement materials and design, contractor logistics and resources, and traffic operations. It has been successfully used on several urban freeway rehabilitation projects with high traffic volume, including projects on I-10 and I-710. The CA4PRS helps agencies and contractors plan highway rehabilitation strategies by taking into account long-life pavement performance, construction productivity, traffic delay, and total cost.

ENHANCING THE PRIME CONTRACTOR'S PRE-CONSTRUCTION PLANNING

Technological advancements and continuous fragmentation of the construction industry have resulted in a spiral increase in complexity of building projects. The changes the construction industry has experienced in recent years have influenced production rates, techniques and procedures. Also types of materials, plant and other resources used have being changing. The effect of these continuous changes is exacerbated by the continuous demand for speed, zero defects, higher safety, welfare and environmental standards. Unfortunately, this spiral increase in complexity is not being matched with an equal increase in planning effort, especially at the pre-construction stage. Contractors have failed to adjust their planning to a more detailed level such as the level. The industry still plan projects at the activity level. The failure to plan projects at role level is widening the gap between contractors, subcontractors and the operatives. This is obvious by the lack of use of scientific management tools (such as work-study) on today's construction sites. All these problems make pre-construction planning to be an increasingly important ingredient for successful delivery of projects. Good pre-construction planning can only have a fruitful effect if the production process is well understood and is carefully planned at the right level, at the right time, and using the right procedure, expertise and experience. This paper therefore, proposes a simple systemic approach or model that can be used in practice to improve and standardise the process of the prime contractor's planning of construction projects at the pre-construction stage. The uniqueness of the proposed approach is stems from planning at the role level and focusing on the effect of project complexity on project time and cost. The work described in the paper is based upon structured interviews with selected practitioners and case studies on current practice in the South East of England. The work concluded that the implementation of the proposed system of pre-construction planning will contribute to capturing knowledge and experience and to producing consistency and reliability in practice, and thus produce innovation and value in project systems implementation with more reliable predictions of construction project time and cost.

Planning Technique-Key to Drilling Efficiency (includes associated papers 14971 and 15044 )

Summary Drilling efficiency is a function of three variables:technology, equipment, and performance. Drillingcontractors can improve the performance of their rigs by applyingsound management principles to repetitive tasks. A wellcan be drilled on paper, so to speak, before it is drilled in practice. This type of planning helps to positioneveryone involved on the learning curve and permits problems and potential bottlenecks to be identified in time to take alternative action. Mutual expectations are developed between the operator and drilling contractor; therefore, thecompany man and the toolpusher have a common wellplan and schedule that define these expectations. Their performance is measured so that deviations from expected performance can be identified on a real-time basis and dealt with effectively. On the basis of contemporary tests. we anticipate abouta 10% reduction in time required to drill a given well, if the program described in this paper is fully implemented. Introduction Before drilling a well, the drilling contractor receives awell prognosis from the operator. This prognosis, or plan, outlines the various parameters under which the well willbe drilled, But even if the plan uses the latest drilling technology and if the contractor selected has the latest equipment, its ultimate success depends on the rig crew's ability to perform the drilling tasks in sequence. This paper describes a program in which the operator's well prognosis is reviewed thoroughly andsystematically. The analyses undertaken are not academic, but are entirely benefit-related. Time- and pressure-related aspectsof the plan are identified and quantified. The drilling schedule and related functions, such as rig maintenance and logistics, are separated into component parts, and planned, scheduled, and executed according to apredetermined, timed sequence. Benefits include these items:time savings,increased safety,increased control over wellprogress,creation of a data base for performancemeasurement and problem solving,application ofteaming-curve technology, andenhanced crew moraleand proficiency through goal setting and recognition. Program Drilling efficiency is a function of three variables:technology, equipment, and performance. DE=P(T+E).............................................(1) where DE = drilling efficiency, T = technology, E = equipment, andP = performance. The proposed five-step program considers thecontribution of "performance"to drilling efficiency. A basic premise provides that success depends on the rig crew'sability to understand the drilling plan. They must know and understand the duties and obligations of everyone involved and carry out the plan according to mutual expectations. Step 1. Review the operator's well prognosis and quantify pressure-and time-related aspects.The pressure profile is reviewed, and additional dataare gathered if requested by the operator. Also, someonemay add information because he has had previous experience in the area. The pressure profile is studied toidentify the existence and location of transition zones, toselect casing seats, and to define the difference between required wellbore pressure at any depth and the fracturepressure at the last casing seat. This information is veryimportant in circumstances in which a narrow band ofwellbore pressure is critical. Fig. I is a sample pressure profile.The depth-vs. -time curve (historical rig time curve)is the operator's statement of acceptable rig performance. It must be studied in detail. In addition to time expectations, the information it contains, such as hole sizes, casing sizes, setting depths, mud weights, logging intervals, etc., is the basis for the contractor's planning and scheduling.The remainder of the forecast is reviewed toprovide familiarity with special requirements and features ofthe well. Operators differ as to how much information they furnish. Ideally, the prognosis contains sufficient information on the directional program, cementing program, possible problem areas, service companies to use, mudand bit records of previous wells, and other useful proprietary information. By taking these review steps, the contractor becomesfamiliar with the well program and ascertains theoperator's expectations and the contractor's corresponding obligations. A degree of proficiency in understanding well plans isrequired to review the drilling prognosis adequately. Inthis regard, the program is prefaced by a training seminar for contractor rig management and supervisory personnel. JPT P. 1613^